A meta-analysis on long-term change in coral cover and the effectiveness of marine protected areas in the Philippines

Although coral declines have been reported
from major reefs of the world, region-specific trends still remain unclear,
particularly in areas with high diversity such as the Philippines. We assessed
the temporal patterns of the magnitude and trajectory of coral cover change in
the Philippines using survey data collected from 317 sites. We examined the
rate of change in coral cover in relation to time, effects of bleaching and
protection against fishing and assessed the efficacy of marine protected areas
(MPAs) using meta-analysis. Results showed an overall increase in coral cover
in the Philippines from 1981 to 2010. Protection from fishing contributed to
the overall increase in the mean annual rate of change as the coral cover
significantly increased within MPAs than outside. The significant differences
in the rate of coral cover change through time were influenced by chronic anthropogenic
stresses, coinciding with the timing of thermal stress and the establishment of
MPAs. The rate of change in coral cover was independent of the level of
protection and the age and size of MPA.